Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which powder to use in place of 231?

A local shop has a few handgun powder's in-stock, and I am low on my Winchester 231 (which I know is equivalent to HP38). Of the ones listed below, I am not sure which will be the best for using with my 200gr. LSWC bullets in my 1911 (45acp). Any other's using these, and recommend or warn against:

Accurate #2 (AA#2)
IMR7625
Accurate #5744
Hi Skor 800X

I think 2400 or H110 would be a good substitute for W231,
But not sure of that particular load you listed.

Sorry I wasn't very specific--I updated my first post. Currently I am loading 200gr. LSWC's I cast with 5.0 grs. of W231 for 45acp in my 1911. This load isn't too bad on recoil, and works well for steel plate matches.

I've never used it but of the choices you've mentioned, IMR7625 is closest to Win 231 in burn rate. AA#2 is a bit faster and Accurate 5744 is much slower. The HiSkor 800X may be your best bet but I'd research that on your own.

This burn rate chart may be helpful:

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

That's a joke right??

AA#2 is a good, clean, fast burning powder; faster than 231. I think you'll find AA#5 a closer match to 231.

2400 or h110 are not in the same ballpark as 231, kevin is right.
I have used the same load of 5gr. of 231 with the HG68 200swc for years. But I like the AA powders, Five as kevin says would be a better choice. One of the things about AA i like so much is how well it meters, and checking loads out of a powder drop on a electronic scale, they seem to be right on all the time.

I don't have enough experience with the powders you've listed to make any recommendations, so I won't.

However, in the event you find other powders available and/or other bullets, and you need some data, I have found this guy's website VERY useful and reliable: http://www.reloadammo.com/45loads.htm

I know what a crap shoot it can be, pulling load data off the internet, but I have used it with great success, as have a couple other people I know.

Anyway, I recognize it isn't much help, but maybe...

Stick with the published data from the component Mfgs.

I told you so!--- Thought I would just say that now.

Thanks for the quick responses, looks like I will just hold off longer. Right now I have enough 231 to get me started to for next year. Have already loaded up what I will shoot this year. Just hate being this low on supply.

Accurate #2 (AA#2)
IMR7625
Hi Skor 800X

Accurate Powder lists data for the 45 acp with a 200gr LSW with Accurate #2 only. Hodgdon lists load data for both IMR powders. Accurate #2 uses less powder than the IMR poders. The load data for HP38/W231 is closest to Accurate #2.

Rule number 1.

Ammo, components, buy them when you see them!

It's crazy supply out there now!

I still plan on stopping by the LGS tomorrow, and seeing what they have in-stock. According to the person I spoke with their they AA#2 is $21.99/# and the IMR7625 is $30.99/#, so I may pick up a pound of the AA#2 if it is on the shelf. Going to check my manuals tonight to see what I have for load information with that powder.

You can get data online.

For many years I had a store near me that was nothing but reloading, and they always had AA powders cheaper than all the rest. So I came to use and eventually love AA powders; good stuff. I've always been happy with AA's #2,5,&9 and #7 I treated as a specialty powder for very specific loads.

Also, for many rifle cartridges, 2520 was a JOY to work with.

I have shot many, many , many cast .45 bullets over 5gr of 231 and hp-38 in both 230 and 200 grain, but lately I have been useing up some partial jugs and have used red dot, trail boss, tight group, power pistol over 200 gr bullets, and for me tight group works pretty much just as good as 231. If I remeber correctly (with out looking at my records) tight group gave me higher velocity with less powder and shot just as good or better. To me the real suprise was Red Dot shot real accurate, light recoil, a little dirty but not as bad as I expected. Just throwing this out there in case you run into one of these powders.

Uops - Sorry. Looked it up:
I was reading 231 and for some reason thinking 296.

THX Kevin

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This

AA#5 is a dandy for 200 LSWC in my 1911's. Out of what the OP listed AA#2 would be my choice also

Please tell me you're thinking W296 instead of 231. 231 is close to bulleye and unique (more or less)

I just did 3 posts up Fotis